Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GUIDED CUTTING SYSTEM
BackEround of the Invention
The present invention is related generallv to a cutting system for
cutting sheet material and. more particularlv, to a guided cutting system for
cutting
predetermined shapes out of sheet material, such as photographs and mat
material,
for use in photograph scrapbooking applications.
In order to provide an attractive presentation of photos in a scrapbook.
the photos are often cut or cropped. cutting away a peripheral area of the
photo and
leaving a central main subject portion of the photo. Cropping of photos
provides an
attractive border area for the photo wherein the photo may be cropped in a
circular.
oval or wavy peripheral edge, and additionally may be provided with a mat
which
underlies the photo and extends bevond the edges thereof for enhancing the
framing
of the picture on a scrapbook page. Typically, the mat is made such that it
mirrors
and extends beyond the peripheral edge of the cropped photo in order to
provide a
uniform edge border around the photo.
Various devices have been proposed to facilitate the cropping
operation including special scissors having wavy or deckled edges, and guided
cutters such as the one disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 701,828 to Arnold which
incorporates a guide plate for guiding an arm movably supported on the plate
to
direct a cutting blade in a desired pattern for cutting a mat. Other known
guided
cutting devices for cutting circles or ovals in a sheet of material include
those
incorporating a so called "Scottish yoke" mechanism which utilizes a base
member
supporting a pivoted arm and including two transversely oriented axes for
guiding
the arm in a controlled elliptical path. Alternatively, the arm may be held in
a central
location of intersection between the two paths whereby the arm may be pivoted
in a
circular movement. Typical examples of such devices are shown in U.S. Patent
No.
5,233.748 to Logan et al. and in U.S. Patent No. 5,555,631 to Houston.
While the known devices for cutting ovals and circles provide the
desired results of accurately following a desired shape, such devices are
typically
complex in that they require assembly of several parts and also are generally
not well
adapted to convenient storage and transportation in that they incorporate an
elongated
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arm connected to and extendinEi from a base. such that they are not adapted to
compact storage. a desirable attribute for equipment used by those involved in
scrapbooking.
Accordinglv. there is a need for an apparatus which facilitates cutting
~ of ovals, circles and other shapes in sheet material and which requires a
minimum of
parts with accompanying reduced cost. In addition. there is a need for such an
apparatus wherein a cutter is provided havin- means for protectina a user from
contact with a cutting ponion of the cutter when it is not in use.
Summarv of the Invention
As described in detail hereafter, a guided cutting system is
provided including first and second blade cartridges, each blade cartridce
including a
head portion and a cover portion detachablN, mountable to the head portion. ln
addition. a template is provided having at least one groove for guiding a
selected one
of the blade cartridges in a predetermined cutting path to thereby cut a
predetermined
pattern in a substrate underlying the template.
The head portion of each blade cartridge includes a cutting end and a
non-use end, and a side wall extending between the cutting end and the non-use
end.
The cutting end includes a cutting blade supported within a blade holder and a
pair of
spaced pegs forming guide means for positioning within the groove of the
template.
The blade of the first blade cartridge is located a first predetermined
distance from
the guide pegs thereof, and the blade of the second cartridge is located a
second
predetermined distance from the guide pegs thereof wherein the second
predetermined distance is greater than the first predetermined distance. Thus,
the
first blade cartridge may be used to cut a desired outline in a photo, and the
second
blade cartridge mav be used to cut a correspondine shape in a mat wherein the
size of
the mat is greater than that of the photo such that the present cutting svstem
provides
a matching border for a cropped photo.
The cover portion includes a side wall defining opposing ends
wherein a peripheral edge at one end defines an open end, and an end wall at
an
opposing end defines a closed end for the cover portion. The side wall defines
an
inner surface dimensioned to receive and engage the side wall of the head
portion.
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The head portion and cover portion are configured such that the cover portion
is
mountable over the non-use end of the head portion to thereby define a handle
portion for a person to grasp the blade cartridge and guide it around the
template, and
the cover portion is also mountable over the cutting end of the head portion
for
providing a guard to prevent contact with the cutting blade when the blade
cartridge
is not in use.
The template may be provided with an open interior area defined by
an inner peripheral edge wherein a first groove is provided adjacent to an
outer
peripheral edge of the template and a second groove is provided adjacent to
the inner
peripheral edge of the template. In this manner, a single template may be used
for
creating large or small cuts depending on NN-hether the blade cartridge is
guided
around the outer periphery or inner periphen-, respectively.
Therefore. it is an object of the present invention to provide a guided
cutting system including a blade cartridge capable of being hand guided around
a
template.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a blade cartridge
wherein a cover portion is provided for attachment to either one of two
opposing
ends of a blade carrying head portion.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a guided cutting
svstem including two similarly constructed blade cartridges adapted to be
guided
around a peripherv of a template and to provide a predetermined size
differential for
a pattern being cut.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a guided cutting
system wherein a template is provided having an open interior area and
including
outer and inner peripheral grooves to guide a blade cartridge to cut different
size
patterns.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from
the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawines
Fig. I is an exploded perspective view of a first blade cartridge for the
guided cutting svstem of the present invention:
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Fi-a. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second blade cartridge for
the guided cutting system of the present invention:
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the first blade cartridge in a use
confiL,uration:
Fig. 4 is a side elevational vie,,v of the first blade cartridge in a non-
use configuration;
Fig. 5 is a bottom plan vie-,~v of the head portion of the first blade
cartridge with the cutting blade removed;
Fi~. 6 is a bottom plan view of the head portion of the second blade
cartridge with the cutting blade removed;
Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the head portion of the first blade
cartridge:
Fig. 8 is a perspective vie,~v of a cover portion for the first blade
cartridge;
Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the cover portion of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a cover portion for the second blade
cartridge;
Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of the cover portion of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the first blade cartridge in position for
use along an outer peripheral path of an oval template;
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the template of Fig. 12:
Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view of the template of Fig. 12;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the first blade cartridge in position for
use along an inner peripheral path of a circular template: and
Fig. 16 is a plan view of an alternative template for cutting straight
and wavy edges.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring to Figs. 1. 2 and 12, the guided cutting system of the present
invention includes first and second blade cartridges 10 and 10', respectively,
and a
template 12 for guiding the plate cartridges 10, 10' in a predetermined
cutting path.
The first and second blade cartridges 10, 10' are formed with the same
structural
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elements which will be described with particular reference to the first blade
cartridge
wherein the elements of the second blade cartridge 10' corresponding to the
first
blade cartridge are labeled throughout the drawings with the same reference
numeral
primed. and only differences between the first and second blade cartridges 10.
10' are
5 specificallv described in the followina description.
As seen in Figs. 1. 3 and 4 the blade cartridge 10 comprises a head
portion 14 and a cover portion 16 which is configured to be detachably mounted
to
the head portion 14. The head portion 14 is formed with a cutting end 18 and a
non-
use end 20. and a generally cylindrical side wall 22 extends axially between
the
10 cutting end 18 and non-use end 20. The cutting end 18 includes a pair of
spaced
guide pegs 24. 26 extending axially from the surface of the cutting end 18 to
define
guide means for engaging the template 12 to guide the blade cartridge 10
during a
cutting operation. The cutting end 18 further includes an elongated blade
aperture 28
for receiving an assembly comprising a blade holder 30 and cutting blade 32
positioned within the holder 30. It should be noted that the cutting blade 32
includes
a pair of cutting edges 34. 36 converging to a central point whereby the blade
cartridge 10 may be directed in either one of two directions to cut a
substrate
underlying a template 12.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 7, the cutting head 14 is shown without the
blade holder 30 and blade 32 in position. and can be seen to include a pair of
diametrically opposed gripping portions 36. 38 defining raised sectors
extending
radially outwardly from the side wall 22, each gripping portion 36, 38
including a
pair of radially extending side surfaces 40, 42 and an outer surface defining
ribs 55.
The gripping portions 36. 38 further include opposing axial ends which are
substantially contiguous with the surfaces of the cutting end 18 and non-use
end 20.
It should also be noted that the side walls 40 of each of the gripping
portions 36, 38
include a hole or recess 44 (only one shown) located adjacent to the non-use
end 20
of the head portion 14, and the side surfaces 42 of each of the gripping
portions 36,
38 include a hole or recess 46 (only one shown) adjacent the cutting end 18 of
the
head portion 14.
As seen in Fig. 5, a line 48 passing through the guide pegs 24. 26 is
located in spaced relation to a diametrical center C of the head portion 14
and is
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perpendicularly bisected by a bisecting line 50 passing through the
diametrical center
C. The blade aperture 28 is located on an opposite side of the center C of the
head
portion 14 from the line 48 and is intersected by and centered on the
bisectincy line
50. The blade 32 supported within the blade aperture 28 is supported a
~ predetermined distance X from the guide pegs 24. 26. as measured to the line
48.
The distance between the guide pegs 24. 26 and the blade 32 supported within
the
blade aperture 28 defines the particular predetermined distance that the blade
32 will
be positioned from the edge of a guiding template 12 to thereby define the
size of cut
to be made on an underlying substrate.
Referring further to Fig. 6. a head portion 14' for the second blade
cartridge 10' is sho ,n and differs from the first head portion 14 in that the
distance
X' of the blade apenure 28' from the Ruide peas 24'. 26' is greater than the
distance X
for the first head portion 14. Thus, the blade cartridge 10' incorporating the
second
head portion 14' will perform a cut at a second, greater predetermined
distance from
the edge of a template 12 used to guide the blade cartridges 10, 10'.
Accordingly, the
blade cartridge 10 incorporating the first head portion 14 may be guided
around an
outer peripheral edge of the template 12 to cut out a portion of a photograph,
while
the blade cartridge 10' incorporating the second head portion 14' may be used
to cut
out a background mat having a larger peripherv than the cropped photograph.
Referring to Figs. 8-11, the cover portion 16 includes a generally
cylindrical side wall 52 including a plurality of circumferential ribs 54
which
facilitate gripping the cap portion 16. The side wall 52 defines an inner
surface 56 of
the cap portion 16 for engaging the side wall 22 of the head portion 14.
The side wall 52 of the cover portion 16 includes a peripheral edge 58
defining an open end for the cover portion 16, and further includes an end
wall 60
defining a closed end for the cover portion 16. A pair of diametrically
opposed
channels 62. 64 (see also Fig. 1) extend inwardly from the peripheral edge 58.
Each
of the channels 62. 64 includes an inner edge 66. and opposed first and second
side
edges 68, 70. The inner edges 66 are adapted to engage against the axial ends
of the
gripping portions 36, 38, and the side edges 68. 70 are adapted to engage the
side
surfaces 40, 42 of the head portion 14. The edges 68 each include a locking
member
comprising a tab 72 for engaging within the recesses 44. 46 defined in the
side
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surfaces 40. 42 of the head portion 14 to thereby lock the cover portion 16 in
position
on the head portion 14.
Referring to Figs. 8 and 10 it should be noted that the caps 16, 16'
used in association with the head portions 14 and 14' are substantially the
same with
the exception of the construction of the end walls 60 and 60'. In particular,
as seen in
Fig. 8. the end wall 60 of the cap 16 includes a pair of spaced, elongated
grooves 61.
63 v,,herein the grooves 61. 63 are spaced apart the distance X corresponding
to the
spacing bet,.veen the blade 32 and the guide pegs 24, 26. Thus, the grooves
61, 63
provide an indication for the user as to the cutting distance provided between
the
guide pegs 24. 26 and the cutting blade 32 to thereby facilitate selection and
use of
the blade cartridge 10.
Similarlv, the cover portion 16' shown in Fig. 10 includes a pair of
spaced. elongated grooves 61'. 63'. The grooves 61'. 63' are spaced apart a
distance
X' corresponding to the distance X' between the blade 32' and guide pegs 24',
26' of
the second head portion 14'. As with the first cover portion 16, the grooves
61', 63'
on the second cover portion 16' provide an indication to a user to facilitate
selection
and use of the second blade cartridge 10'.
Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, the blade cartridge 10 is shown in use
with an oval template 12. The template 12 is formed as a substantially, planar
member having an outer peripheral edge 74 and an inner peripheral edge 76
defining
an open interior area 78.
The template 12 further includes an upper surface 80 and a lower
surface 82 wherein the upper surface 80 includes a first groove 84 adjacent to
and
spaced inwardly from the outer peripheral edge 74, and a second groove 86
adjacent
to and spaced outwardly from the inner peripheral edge 76. The first groove 84
defines a first predetermined cutting path for guiding the blade cartridge 10
around
the outer periphery of the template 12, and the second groove 86 defines a
second
predetermined path for guiding the blade cartridge 10 within the open interior
area 78
of the template 12.
As best seen in Fig. 13, the spaced pegs 24. 26 are engaged within the
groove 84 to guide the blade cartridge 10 around the outside of the template
12 in a
first predetermined oval cutting path. In this use of the cutting svstem of
the present
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invention, the blade cartridge 10 incorporating the first head portion 14 may
be
guided along the first cutting path 84 to cut out a desired portion of a
photograph,
and the blade cartridge 10' incorporating the second head ponion 14' may be
guided
along the first cutting path 84 to cut out a mat portion of a larger size for
use with the
cropped photograph.
Alternativelv, the blade cartridges 10. 10' may be guided around the
interior oval path defined bv the groove 86. In this use of the blade
cartridges 10, 10'
the blade cartridge 10' would be used to crop the photograph. while the blade
cartridge 10 ,vould be used to create the mat for use ,vith the cropped
photograph.
Referring to Fig. 15, a circular template 12a is illustrated including a
first groove 84a located adjacent an outer peripheral edge 74a. and includes a
second
groove 86a located adjacent an inner peripheral edge 76a defining an open
interior
area 78a. Further, the blade cartridge 10 is illustrated in position on the
second
groove 86a for following a cutting path defined within the open interior area
78a.
Referring further to Fig. 16, an additional template 12b is illustrated
for use with the blade cartridges 10, 10' of the present invention. In this
embodiment
of the template, the template 12b is provided with a straight edge 88 having a
straight
groove 90 located adjacent thereto for guiding a blade cartridges 10, 10'. An
opposing edge 92 defines a wavy shape and includes a corresponding wavy groove
94 for guiding a blade cartridges 10, 10'. In addition, it should be
understood that a
wide variety of other guide shapes may be provided for guiding the blade
cartridges
10. 10' of the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 14, the bottom surface 82 of the template of Figs. 12
and 13 is shown and includes discrete recessed areas 83 within which feet or
pads of
non-slip material 85 are placed. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the
template 12 is formed of a polycarbonate material which will permit the blade
cartridges 10. 10' to easily slide across the upper surface 80 of the template
12. The
pads 85 are preferably formed of a second. non-slip material, such as
polyurethane.
which will ensure that the template 12 will not slip relative to a substrate
surface
such as a picture or mat being cut. In addition, the pads 85 are strategically
placed at
four equally spaced circumferential locations, 90 from each other, to
minimize the
amount of non-slip material 85 required while providing the template with
sufficient
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non-slip material 85 to ensure that it will function as desired for anv
cutting operation
in accordance xvith the design of the template 12.
Further, it should be understood that the templates 12a and 12b shown
in Figs. 15 and 16 are provided with a similar non-slip material. It should
also be
noted that the template shown in Fig. 15 is provided with pads 85 at four
equally
spaced circumferential locations, in a manner similar to that shown for the
template
shown in Fig. 14.
From the above description it should be apparent that the cover
portion 16 of the present invention performs a dual function in combination
with the
head portion 14, in that the cover portion 16 operates as both a handle for
guiding the
cuttin- action performed by the head portion 14 when the cover portion 16 is
mounted to the head portion 14 in a use position, and as a safety cover over
the
cutting blade 32 when the cover portion 16 is in a non-use position on the
head
portion 14. In the use position of the cover portion 16, the cover portion 16
is
mounted over the end 22 of the head portion 14 with the gripping portions 36,
38
located within the channels 62, 64, and the tabs 72 of the cover portion 16
engaged
within the recesses 44 to positively hold the cover portion 16 in place on the
head
portion 14.
Alternatively, in the non-use position of the cover portion 16, the
cover portion 16 is positioned over the end 18 of the head portion 14 with the
gripping portions 36. 38 engaged within the channels 62, 64. In this position
of the
cover portion 16, the tabs 72 of the cover portion 16 are engaged with the
recesses 46
adjacent the end 18 of the head portion 14 to thereby positively lock the
cover
portion 16 in place over the head portion 14.
It should further be noted that by providing the ribs 54 around the
cover portion 16. and by providing corresponding ribs 55 on the gripping
portions
36, 38, the blade cartridge 10 is provided with a convenient gripping surface
for
facilitating gripping of the blade cartridge 10 in a cutting operation. In
addition, the
ribs 54, 55 facilitate grasping the cover portion 16 and head portion 14 when
a user
desires to separate these two portions in order to change the position of the
cover
portion 16 relative to the ends 18 and 20 of the head portion 14.
Thus. the blade cartridge of the present invention provides a simple
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structure in ,N=hich a cover portion 16 for the blade cartrid, e performs a
dual function
of forming a handle during use of the blade cartridLe and forminQ a safetv
cover for
preventing contact with the blade of the blade cartridae when it is not in
use.
In addition, the present invention advantageously provides a set of
first and second blade cartridv-es wherein the cartridges are usable with
Quide
templates and provide different predetermined cutting perimeters whereby one
blade
cartridge may provide a cropped photo and the other blade cartridge may
provide a
mat for the cropped photo. Also. different templates may be provided to
provide foi-
different cutting patterns. and the tenlplates may be provided with interior
and
exterior cutting peripheries to provide a plurality of 2uide paths for the
blade
cartridges on a single template.
Nk'hile the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred
embodiment of this invention. it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited
to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein
without
departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended
claims.
